Hearts show Edinburgh derby gap over Hibs with plenty to catch eye of watching Scotland head coach
Hearts claim derby bragging rights with six Scots in starting line-up
In an action-packed Edinburgh derby, Hearts reasserted their superiority over Hibs with this 3-1 victory at Easter Road
This was further evidence that Hearts are operating at a loftier level than Hibs. Since Tony Bloom invested in the Tynecastle outfit, they have won four of the past five encounters with their neighbours. And this was the most convincing one of the lot.
Wouter Vrancken's men played an attack-minded, adventurous style of football to claim all three points in this Premiership match. The result, however, will mean so much more to those of a Hearts persuasion. Their near 4,000 supporters in the away end lapped up this moment.
After taking a two-nil lead into the interval thanks to goals from James Wilson and Laurent Mendy, there was a wobble when Hibs halved the deficit on 51 minutes thanks to an excellent strike from Adam Mayor. Much like the last derby, when Hibs ended the game with nine men and lost 2-1 from a winning position, indiscipline cost them. Substitute Jack Iredale was sent off for a second booking on 62 minutes in the throes of the hosts' most dominant spell and they faltered thereafter.
Josh McPake scored an excellent solo goal four minutes later for Hearts and try as they might, a diminished Hibs could not find a way back.
Hearts are playing attractively, fearlessly - and sometimes naively - under their Belgian head coach Vrancken and his compatriot Sebastien Pocognoli, the new Scotland boss, will have watched on with interest from the stands. Hearts had six Scots in their starting line-up and defenders Jamie McCart and Stuart Findlay, midfielder Blair Spittal, wide men McPake and Calvin Miller plus striker Wilson all excelled.
Not so long ago, Wilson was in the Scotland squad. The 19-year-old has been given a shot by Vrancken after being farmed out to Spurs' youth teams last season. His opener on 13 minutes, a cute finish from McPake's cross after the winger had skinned Felix Passlack, was his fourth goal of the campaign.
McPake was the top man for Hearts. A summer signing from St Johnstone, he tortured Passlack all evening and his goal was eye-catching, beating three defenders and then opening his body up to score. He is playing at the peak of his powers.
This was such sobering evening for all concerned with Hibs. Exactly a week ago, they blew a 2-1 lead in the closing stages against Gent to cost them a place in the Conference League. Taking the next step is proving elusive. Hearts fans were quick to remind them that they did reach that juncture by overcoming Rapid Vienna.
Hibs' preparations weren't helped by selling Warren O'Hora on Tuesday night to Leicester City. They missed his leadership skills and defensive qualities. Jordan Obita, another influential defender, came off injured before the break for Iredale. In the first half, their style of football looked antiquated in comparison to the slick version served up by Hearts. So often ball was shelled long to target man Nathan Lowe, who Hearts dealt with comfortably by in large.
Lowe was involved in the sliding doors moment on 41 minutes when he failed to beat Hearts keeper Beau Reus when sent through on goal by Josh Mulligan. The 20-year-old Stoke loanee works hard but as each passing week goes on, we are seeing increasing evidence of a lack of composure when presented with decent chances.
Two minutes later, Mendy glanced home a fairly benign Spittal free-kick. The second goal, conceded just before half time, was a killer for Hibs.
At least they showed the minerals to stage a fightback of sorts. Hibs head coach David Gray brought on Miguel Chaiwa and Adam Mayor in a attempt to change the course of proceedings at the break and playing with far hunger, Hibs got themselves back into the game on 51 minutes when Mayor belted a rasping shot high past the despairing Reus.
It had Hearts on the ropes, but Hibs turned the gun on themselves on 62 minutes when Iredale played a sloppy back-pass to Sallinger, who was forced to clip the ball back to him. Under pressure, Iredale lunged for the ball and fouled Miller. Having been booked at the end of the first half for a rush of blood to the head in scything down Jordi Altena, it was a night to forget for the Australian. McPake's coup de grace came four minutes later.
Hearts didn't manage the game especially well in the final quarter. Hibs kept going and Lowe had a goal disallowed, while Reus made a good save from Mulligan and some strong defensive blocks were required. But the job was done by Hearts, who are already pulling away from Hibs. There is now a clear gap between these two Edinburgh teams.
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